The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-02-16
MIXED MARRIAGES.
A QUESTION THAT JUST NOW
AGITATES
The People of Maryland, where a
White woman ~ az He'n Impris-
Oned for Marry ing u Negro.

BALTIMORE, ND, February 10
There is much excitement among the
colored people throughout. Maryland
at present regarding the interma ar
rage question, and white Methodist
ministers are assisting their colored
brethren in sgitating movement Tor
repeal of marriage law restrictions
James F. Wood, colored, and Annie
Nicodemus, young white woman,
good looking and intelligent, were
married about month ago, and be-
fore they were two weeks welded they
were arrested, tried, convicted and
sentenced to eighteen months in the
penitentiary for intermarrying against
The law of Maryland. This was the
f ct case of enforcement OF the law.
WithiR the last week Gov. Lloyd has
received numerous petitions asking
the pardon of the couple. Prominent
white ministers have signed the pc
titioDs. Ole of these petitions cites
that Wood and Annie Nicodemus have
lived sec city tog ther for some time,
and when anxious to avoid further
disgrace they underwent the matri-
monial ceremony, they were ar
rested and punished for doir g
what their conscience compelled
them to do. The Rev. P. ii. A.
Bra1 IN, colored, in an appeal for
their pardon says: Il do not appear
as au advocate OF social equality OF
the white and colored races Of this
country; that is not the question be-
fore US. Coored men have been put
to death by mobs, while the laws say
to white men they Can debsuch az
many women as they choose, pro.
vided they are negro women. Shall
this evil continue or shall the mar
risge laws be applied to all alike with.
out regard to color? In Virgiois all
marriages. between white and colored
persons are absolutely void without
a decree OF divorce, and such a mar
risge is punished by imprisonment in
the penitentlery from two to five years.
The law Of Maryland is in spirit about
the came. Go where you will in the
South and you will find that two.thirds
of the 80 called negroes are such only
in name, hence these State laws for
bidding white and tolored to inter
marry are nothing more than a door
which opens the way and cloak to
cover the lascivious, diabolical acts Of
white men. Tcese laws are uDconsti.
tutional. Colored people have been
made cit'z They can make con-
tracts, and there is not court in this
country that will say a contract
between white man and
negro woman to buy house or g
farm is not valid. Marriage is con.
tract. The constitution OF the United
States Gays that no State shall pass q
law impairing the obligation of CON
tracts. Chief Justice Marshall de-
cided that marriage was a contract
within the meaning of this clause Of
the constitution. There is no need in
a. guing the necessity of keeping the
two races separate any more. They
are already 80 deeply amalgamated
that in fact there is neither white mol
black race any more, but Americans
It is also stated that several members
of the jury that convicted the couple
now favor executive clemency. The
Governor hes the matter under con
sideration, and meanwhile meetings
are held nightly by colored people IL
all parts OF the State denouncing thu
law as unjust,